To mark the return of the Mahindra Goldrush Rally of Coromandel the district council is running a special competition for children and young people.

If you are 17 years and younger and love rally cars, then why not enter the Thames-Coromandel District Council's ‘Design Your Own Rally Car Competition' which opened this week.

If you're 17 years and younger and would love a ride in a Rally NZ car then enter the Thames-Coromandel District Council's ‘Design Your Own Rally Car Competition'. Photo: File

There are five age-group categories young people can enter and the winner of each will go for a spin around Whitianga in one of the cars competing in the Mahindra Goldrush Rally of Coromandel.

Competition organiser Kirstin Richmond says all young people need to do is grab a competition form which asks them to draw a design of their ultimate rally car.

'If you add in a description explaining the design that will certainly be helpful to the judges,' says Kirstin. 'Entries can be picked up from our council offices and district libraries, or going to council's website.”

Due to height requirements, all children aged under five will not be able to go in the rally car for a drive, but instead will receive a goodie bag and a meet and greet with the drivers.

The fifth round of the Brian Green Property Groups NZ Rally Champs will feature up to 60 cars vying for pole position, with official racing taking place on Saturday, August 22.

The five young winners of the design competition will be taken for a drive around Whitianga on Friday, August 21.

On the same evening, the Whitianga Events Trust and the Mercury Bay Business Association have organised a street party which will be held in Blacksmith Lane, from 3pm-6pm.

Ten leading teams in the rally will set up their service areas and provide a real ‘pit-lane' style feel of what it's really like when the cars stop in the pits to refuel and tune up. The remaining 50 race cars will also be on-site and on-display.

There'll also be autograph signing sessions, some fun bike races and activities and races cars and crews will be on display and around to meet the public.

Mayor Glenn Leach says the council is pleased to host Rally NZ for another year.

'The feedback we have received from organisers was that the drivers loved the route and the hospitality shown by the Coromandel community.

'We also want to thank the Whitianga Events Trust and the Mercury Bay Business Association who are organising some fun events for the public on the Friday night before the race.”

For information and to download entry forms for the ‘Design Your Own Rally Car Competition' visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/rallynz2015

To enter either email: [email protected] or drop it into your local area office or district library. Entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, August 14.